Electronic device and feedback providing method

ABSTRACT

To intuitively identify the state o an electronic device. 
     There is provided an electronic device that implements a predetermined function, the electronic device including: an operation detection unit configured to detect a physical operation on the electronic device; a transmitter configured to transmit operation information indicating the operation to an external device; a receiver configured to receive feedback information indicating at least a type of feedback representing a state relating to the function, the feedback information being transmitted by the external device in response to the operation information; and a feedback unit configured to provide the feedback in accordance with the feedback information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a feedbackproviding method.

BACKGROUND ART

Techniques for operating a plurality of devices in cooperation with eachother at home or other locations to fulfill their respective functionshave been widespread. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes atechnique for effectively supporting use of a function implemented bysuch cooperative operation between devices.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: P 2014-032501A

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 described above allows asetting operation including registration of a device in a system to beexecuted using a console displayed on the screen of a smartphone. Inthis case, information indicating a device to be operated is displayedonly on the console, so the user sometimes has a difficulty inidentifying, for example, information indicating, how each device isrecognized in the console.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a novel and improved electronicdevice and feedback providing method enabling intuitive identificationof the state of an electronic device.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an electronicdevice that implements a predetermined function, the electronic deviceincluding: an operation detection unit configured to detect a physicaloperation on the electronic device; a transmitter configured to transmitoperation information indicating the operation to an external device: areceiver configured to receive feedback information indicating at leasta type of feedback representing a state relating to the function, thefeedback information being transmitted by the external device inresponse to the operation information; and a feedback unit configured toprovide the feedback in accordance with the feedback information.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a feedbackproviding method including, by an electronic device that implements apredetermined function:

detecting a physical operation on the electronic device; transmittingoperation information indicating the operation to an external device:receiving feedback information indicating, at least a type of feedbackrepresenting a state regarding the function, the feedback informationbeing transmitted by the external device in response to the operationinformation: and providing the feedback in accordance with the feedbackinformation.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present disclosure described above allows the state of an electronicdevice to be identified intuitively

Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limitative.With or in the place of the above effects, there may be achieved any oneof the effects described in this specification or other of that may begrasped from this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrated to describe interlocking feedback duringoperation on a console screen in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing forinterlocking feedback during operation on a console screen in anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrated to describe interlocking feedback duringoperation on an electronic device in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing forinterlocking feedback during operation on an electronic device in anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting operation on aconsole screen in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of performing an operationon an electronic device in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functionalconfiguration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functionalconfiguration of a control device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardwareconfiguration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. In thisspecification and the appended drawings, structural elements that havesubstantially the same function and structure are denoted with the samereference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structuralelements is omitted.

The description will be given in the following order.

-   1. System Configuration-   2. Interlocking Feedback during Operation on Console Screen-   3. Interlocking Feedback during Operation on Electronic Device-   4. Example of Setting Operation on Console Screen-   5. Example of performing Operation on Electronic Device-   6. Exemplary Functional Configuration of Electronic Device-   7. Exemplary Functional Configuration of Control Device-   8. Hardware Configuration-   9. Supplement

(1. System Configuration)

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG.1, the system 10 includes an electronic device 100 and a control device300. The electronic device 100 and the control device 300 communicatewith each other via the network 200.

The electronic device 100 is configured to include a functional unit101, an indicator 103, and an operation button 105. The electronicdevice 100 implements a predetermined function through the functionalunit 101. In this illustrated example, a push button 100 a, anacceleration sensor 100 b, and a microphone 100 c are illustrated as anexample of the electronic device 100. The push button 100 a, theacceleration sensor 100 b, and the microphone 100 c have differentfunctional units 101 a, 101 b, and 101 c, respectively. The indicator103 serves as a feedback unit that provides feedback to the user usinglight emission. The operation button 105 serves as an operationdetection unit that detects a physical operation, that is, a buttondepression operation in this example, on the electronic device 100 bythe user. The indicator 103 and the operation button 105 may becomponents that are all included in each of the push button 100 a, theacceleration sensor 100 b, and the microphone 100 c. The operationbutton 105 may have an icon that indicates a function of each electronicdevice 100, and this icon may be printed or engraved on the operationbutton 105 in external appearance as an example illustrated in thefigure.

An example of the network 200 may include a wireless communicationnetwork such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi. For example,the electronic device 100 and the control device 300 may directlycommunicate with each other over the wireless communication network asdescribed above.

Alternatively, the electronic device 100 and the control device 300 mayindirectly communicate with each other via a router or the like. In thiscase, the network 200 may include the Internet, a mobile network, and anexternal server.

The control device 300 has a display 301. The display 301 displays aconsole screen 3010. The console screen 3010 includes an icon 3011indicating each of the electronic devices 100. In the illustratedexample, the icon 3011 includes an indicator portion 3013 and anoperation button portion 3015. Furthermore, in the illustrated example,the icon 3011 includes an icon 3011 a corresponding to the push button100 a, an icon 3011 b corresponding to the acceleration sensor 100 b,and an icon 3011 c corresponding to the microphone 100 c. The icons 3011a, 3011 b, and 3011 c respectively include operation button portions3015 a, 3005 b, and 3005 c, on each of which a symbol for indicating afunction of the corresponding electronic devices 100 is displayed. Thedisplay 301 having a touch screen formed thereon allows the user toperform an operation on each of the electronic devices 100 by operatingthe icon 3011 displayed on the display 301.

More specifically, the control device 300 may be a portable informationprocessing terminal such as a tablet or a smartphone. Alternatively, thecontrol device 300 may be a stationary information processing terminalsuch as a personal computer or a television set. In an example to bedescribed later, the user can perform a setting operation or the likerelating to the cooperative operation between the electronic devices 100using the console screen 3010 displayed on the control device 300.

The system 10 in the illustrated example uses the electronic devices 100as elements for implementing their respective functions, combines theseelements, and operates them in cooperation with each other to allow anoperation or a function tended by the user to be performed. In thecontrol device 300, the operation on the icon 3011 corresponding to eachof the electronic devices 100 allows the cooperative operation betweenthe electronic devices (elements) 100 to be set up or the settingthereof to be changed. In the system 10 as described above, an exampleof the electronic device 100 is not limited to the illustrated pushbutton, acceleration sensor, and microphone, but may include an elementfor implementing various functions. For example, the electronic device100 may implement a function of a camera, a human presence detector, aloudspeaker, a light emitting diode (LED) lamp, or the like.

Moreover, although the plurality of electronic devices 100 are designedin a similar shape and they have the respective functions (push button,acceleration sensor, and microphone) in the illustrated example, theembodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to such examples.For example, the electronic devices 100 may be designed to havedifferent shapes or may have a plurality of functions. In a case wherethe electronic device 100 has a plurality of functions, one of thefunctions may be usable for cooperation between devices in the system10, and a function usable for cooperation between devices may beselectable.

More specifically, for example, a system according to another embodimentof the present disclosure may be configured to cause independentlyoperable electronic devices, for example, consumer electronics (CEs) tobe operated in cooperation with each other. In this case, each of theelectronic devices is configured to include a functional unit, afeedback unit, and an operation detection unit, which is similar to theelectronic device 100 in the system 10 described above. The feedbackunit and the operation detection unit, as well as the function unit, mayhave different configurations for each of the electronic devices. Inother words, the feedback unit is not limited to the configuration thatprovides feedback using light emission, like the indicator 103, but maybe implemented as a display that provides feedback by displaying animage, a loudspeaker that provides feedback by voice, or a vibrator thatprovides feedback by vibration. Furthermore, the operation detectionunit is not limited to the configuration that detects a depressionoperation of a button including the operation button 105, and may beimplemented as a device that detects various other operations, such as aslide switch or a touch screen.

(2. Interlocking Feedback during Operation on Console Screen)

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrated to describe interlocking feedback duringoperation on a console screen in an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic device100 includes two push buttons 100 a 1 and 100 a 2 and a microphone 100 cin a system 10 a, similar to that described above with reference toFIG. 1. Accordingly, also in a control device 300, a console screen 3010includes icons 3011 a 1 and 3011 a 2 respectively corresponding to thepush buttons 100 a 1 and 100 a 2 and an icon 3011 c corresponding to themicrophone 100 c.

In this illustrated example, the user touches the icon 3011 a 1displayed can the display 301. The control device 300 causes anindicator portion 3013 included in the icon 3011 a 1 to emit light inresponse to the operation by the user. Furthermore, the control device300 transmits a feedback instruction to the push button 100 a 1 servingas the electronic device 100 corresponding to the icon 3011 a 1, andthen the push button 100 a 1 that has received this instruction, theindicator 103 to emit light.

As described above, the system 10 a includes the two push buttons 100 a1 and 100 a 2. In the illustrated example, these two electronic deviceshave a similar appearance and the icons 3011 a 1 and 3011 a 2 displayedin association with these two electronic devices have a similarappearance, so they are difficult to distinguish from each other as theyare. While, the present embodiment causes the indicator portion 3013,which is included in the icon 3011 a 1 displayed on the console screen3010 and selected by the user's touch operation, and the indicator 103,which is included in the push button 100 a 1 corresponding to the icon3011 a 1, to emit light having a color or pattern in common with eachother, so that the user can recognize easily what device is selected. Inother words, in the illustrated example, the type of feedback providedby the indicator 103 of the push button 100 a 1 corresponds to the typeof feedback provided in the control device 300. This allows, forexample, an operation (e.g., a setting operation) for causing the pushbutton 100 a 1 to function in cooperation with another electronic device100 to be performed intuitively.

Although, in the above example, the push button 100 a 1 and the controldevice 300 provide feedback indicating a recognition state (beingrecognized as the icon 3011 a 1) of the push button 100 a 1 in thecontrol device 300, feedback indicating other states relating to thepush button 100 a 1 may be provided.

For example, feedback indicating a state of cooperation of the pushbutton 100 a 1 with another electronic device 100 in the cooperativeoperation between the plurality of electronic devices 100 managed by thecontrol device 300 may be provided. For example, in the illustratedexample, there is a case where the control device 300 recognizes each ofthe push button 100 a 1 and the microphone 100 c and further sets thecooperative operation between the push button 100 a 1 and the microphone100 c. In this case, selection of the icon 3011 a 1 causes the indicatorportion 3013 of the icon 3011 c corresponding to the microphone 100 cand the indicator 103 of the microphone 100 c, in addition to theindicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a 1 and the indicator 103 of thepush button 100 a 1, to emit light having a color or pattern in commonor corresponding color or pattern.

Furthermore, for example, feedback indicating a state including acommunication condition between the control device 300 and theelectronic device 100 or a remaining battery level of the electronicdevice 100 may be provided. For example, in a case where the icon 3011 a1 is selected in the illustrated example, the color and/or pattern oflight emitted from the indicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a 1 andthe indicator 103 of the push button 100 a 1 may be changed inaccordance with a state including the communication condition betweenthe control device 300 and the electronic device 100 or the remainingbattery level of the electronic device 100. More specifically, forexample, the color of light emitted from the indicator portion 3013 andthe indicator 103 may be changed to green for the satisfactorycommunication condition, to orange for the moderately satisfactorycommunication condition, and to red for the unsatisfactory communicationcondition. This may be similarly applied to the remaining battery level,that is, the color of emitted light may be changed to green for thesufficient state, to orange for the slight deficient state, and to redfor the deficient state. Furthermore, the pattern of emitted lightallows a state including the communication condition or the remainingbattery level to be represented, for example, by changing the frequencyof blinking.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing forinterlocking feedback during operation on the console screen in anembodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the controldevice 300 detects an operation input (a touch operation in the aboveexample) on the icon 3011 displayed on the console screen 3010 (S101).In this case, the control device 300 transmits a state inquiry to theelectronic device 100 (S103) as necessary, and the electronic device 100transmits a state response to the control device 300 in response to theinquiry (S105). More specifically, for example, the remaining batterylevel of the electronic device 100 and the strength of radio waves forcommunication received by the electronic device 100 (radio wavesreceived from the control device 300, a router, or the like) arenotified to the control device 300 by the response of the electronicdevice 100.

Next, the control device 300 determines the type of feedback to beprovided (S107). For example the control device 300 determines a colorand/or pattern of light to be emitted from the indicator portion 3013displayed on the console screen 3010 and the indicator 103 of theelectronic device 100 so that the colors and/or patterns are in common.In this case, the state of the electronic device 100 notified by theresponse from the electronic device 100 in S103 and S105 and the stateof the electronic device 100 recognized independently by the controldevice 300, more specifically, the state of cooperation, the state ofcommunication, the remaining, battery level, and the like may beincorporated in the type of the feedback.

Furthermore, also in a case where simply the association between theelectronic device 100 and the icon 3011 is represented, the controldevice 300 may change the type of feedback each time. For example, inthe example illustrated in FIG. 2, in the case where the icon 3011 a 1is selected and then the icon 3011 a 2 is selected, the control device300 may cause the color and/or pattern to be emitted from the indicatorportion 3013 of the icon 3011 a 1 and the indicator 103 of the pushbutton 100 a 1 to be different from the color and/or pattern to beemitted from the indicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a 2 and theindicator 103 of the push button 100 a 2. This makes it possible for theuser to identify easily what electronic device 100 corresponds to eachof the plurality of icons 3011, for example, in a case where the usersequentially selects the icons 3011 on the console screen 3010.

Next, the control device 300 transmits a feedback instruction to theelectronic device 100 (S109). The feedback instruction includesinformation indicating the type of feedback determined in S107. Theelectronic device 100 outputs feedback based on the feedback instructionreceived from the control device 300 (S111). In the example of FIG. 2,the electronic device 100 outputs the feedback by causing the indicator103 to emit light. In addition, at the same time, the control device 300also outputs the feedback (S113). In the example of FIG. 2, the controldevice 300 outputs the feedback by causing the indicator portion 3013 ofthe icon 3011 to emit light through the console screen 3010.

(3. Interlocking Feedback during Operation on Electronic Device)

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrated to describe interlocking feedback duringoperation on the electronic device in one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, in a system 10 a thatis similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 3, the userpresses down the operation button 105 of the push button 100 a 2. Thepush button 100 a 2 causes the indicator 103 to emit light in responseto this operation. Furthermore, the push button 100 a 2 notifies thecontrol device 300 that the operation has been performed, and thecontrol device 300 causes the indicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a2 corresponding to the push button 100 a 2 to emit light. In this case,the indicator 103 of the push button 100 a 2 and the indicator portion3013 of the icon 3011 a 2 emit light having, for example, a color and/orpattern in common. In the illustrated example, the control device 300determines the color and/or pattern of light to be emitted.

As described above, the system 10 a includes the two push buttons 100 a1 and 100 a 2. In the illustrated example, these two electronic deviceshave a similar appearance, and the icons 3011 a 1 and 3011 a 2 displayedin association with them also have a similar appearance, so they aredifficult to distinguish from each other as they are. Thus, in thepresent embodiment, the indicator 103 of the push button 100 a 2 that issubject to the depression operation of the operation button 105 by theuser and the indicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a 2 correspondingto the push button 100 a 2 are caused to emit light having a color orpattern in common. Thus, it is possible for the user identify easily howthe device operated by the user is recognized in the control device 300.This allows, for example, the operation for causing the push button 100a 2 to function in cooperation with another electronic device 100 later(e.g., a setting operation) to be intuitive performed.

Similar to the interlocking, feedback during operation on the consolescreen as described above, with respect to the interlocking feedbackduring operation on the electronic device illustrated in FIG. 4, theremay be provided not only feedback indicating a state where the pushbutton 100 a 2 is recognized as the icon 3011 a 2 in the control device300 but also feedback indicating a state including a cooperation statebetween the push button 100 a 2 and another electronic device 100, acommunication condition between the control device 300 and the pushbutton 100 a 2, and a remaining battery level of the push button 100 a2. A specific example for representing the state using the color orpattern of light emitted from the indicator 103 and the indicatorportion 3013 may be similar to the interlocking feedback duringoperation on the console screen as described above.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of processing forinterlocking feedback during operation on the electronic device in anembodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, theelectronic device 100 detects an operation input (depression operationin the above example) on the operation button 105 (S201). In this case,the electronic device 100 notifies the control device 300 of thedetected operation (S203). As in the above example, in the case wherethe state including the communication condition or the remaining batterylevel of the electronic device 100 is represented through the feedback,the electronic device 100 notifies the control device 300 of such astate in S203.

Next, the control device 300 determines the type of feedback to beprovided (S205). For examples the control device 300 determines a colorand/or pattern of light to be emitted from the indicator 103 of theelectronic device 100 and the indicator portion 3013 displayed on theconsole screen 3010 so that the colors and/or patterns are in common. Inthis case, the state of the electronic device 100 notified from theelectronic device 100 in S203 and the state of the electronic device 100recognized independently by the control device 300, more specifically,the state of cooperation, the state of communication, the remainingbattery level, or the like may be incorporated in the type of thefeedback. Furthermore, similar to the example of the interlockingfeedback during operation on the console screen, the type of feedbackmay be changed each time even in the case where simply the associationbetween the electronic device 100 and the icon 3011 is represented.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronic device100 instead of the control device 300 may execute the feedback typedetermination processing described in S205. In this case, the electronicdevice 100 notifies the control device 300 of the type of the feedbackas well as the operation notification in S203 (the feedback typedetermination processing is executed prior to the notification in S203).In this case, for example, the state including the communicationcondition or the remaining battery level of the electronic device 100also can be incorporated in the type of the feedback.

Next, the control device 300 transmits a feedback instruction to theelectronic device 100 (S207). The feedback instruction includesinformation indicating the type of the feedback determined in S205. Theelectronic device 100 outputs feedback based on the feedback instructionreceived from the control device 300 (S209). In the example of FIG. 4,the electronic device 100 outputs the feedback by causing the indicator103 to emit light. In addition, at the same time, the control device 300also outputs the feedback (S211). In the example of FIG. 4, the controldevice 300 outputs the feedback by causing the indicator portion 3013 ofthe icon 3011 to emit light through the console screen 3010.

(4. Example of Setting Operation on Console Screen)

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting operation on aconsole screen in an embodiment of the present disclosure. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 6, an icon 3001 indicating the electronicdevice 100 and an operation label 3017 are displayed on the consolescreen 3010 displayed on the display 301 of the control device 300 inthe system 10 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Morespecifically, in the illustrated example, the operation label 3017indicating “pressed” and “long pressed” is displayed together with theicon 3011 a corresponding to the push button 100 a. The operation label3017 indicates an operation (an operation performed by the electronicdevice 100 itself and/or an operation performed by the user to theelectronic device 100 that is set for the electronic device 100corresponding to the icon 3011.

In the illustrated example, as shown in (a), the user touches the icon3011 a displayed together with the operation label 3017. This operationmeans addition of an operation that is set for the electronic device 100corresponding to the icon 3011 a. On the other hand, as shown in (b),the control device 300 causes an operation label addition menu 3019 tobe displayed. When the user touches the operation label addition menu3019 indicating “double pressed”, the control device 300 adds anoperation label 3017 a indicating “double pressed” to the operationlabel 3017 displayed together with the icon 3011 a as shown in (c).

Furthermore, when the user touches the added operation label 3017 a, thecontrol device 300 causes an operation label setting menu 3021 to bedisplayed as shown in (d). In the illustrated example, the operationlabel setting menu 3021 includes “execute”, “edit setting”, and“delete”. Here, when the user touches the operation label setting menu3021 of “execution”, as shown in (e), the control device 300 highlights(specifically e.g., blinks or changes the color) the operation label3017 a, and causes the indicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a to emitlight. Further more, similarly to the example of the interlockingfeedback during operation on the console screen described above, thecontrol device 300 transmits a feedback instruction to the push button100 a corresponding to the icon 3011 a, and the push button 100 a thathas received this feedback instruction causes the indicator 103 to emitlight. In this regard., the color or pattern of light emitted from theindicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a and the color or pattern oflight emitted from the indicator 103 of the push button 100 a are incommon.

In the example described above, the indicator portion 3013 of the icon3011 and the indicator 103 of the electronic device 100 corresponding tothe icon 3011 provide a type of feedback in common in accordance withthe step of the setting operation using the icon 3011 on the consolescreen 3010 displayed on the control device 300. This allows the userwho performs the setting operation on the console screen 3010 torecognize easily which of the electronic devices 100 is subject to thesetting operation.

Moreover, in the above example, the operation that is set using theoperation label addition menu 3019 or the operation label setting menu3021 corresponds to the operation added by the user to the push button100 a. Thus, in the step shown in (e) of FIG. 6, the feedback outputtedfrom the push button 100 a is only the light emission of the indicator103. On the other hand, for example, in the case where the operationthat is set using the operation label addition menu 3019 or theoperation label setting menu 3021 is an operation performedindependently by the electronic device 100, the electronic device 100may perform the operation that is set, in addition to causing theindicator 103 to emit light, in the step shown in (e) of FIG. 6. Morespecifically, for example, in the case where the electronic device 100is a loudspeaker that outputs sound, outputting sound using the functionunit 101 (operation that is set) may be executed, in addition to lightemission of the indicator 103.

(5. Example of performing Operation on Electronic Device)

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an example of performing an operation inan electronic device in an embodiment of the present disclosure. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 7, in the system 10 described above withreference to FIG. 1, the user performs an operation on the push button100 a, and feedback corresponding to the feedback from the push button100 a for the perforated operation is provided through an icon 3011 aand an operation label 3017 included in the console screen 3010displayed on the display 301 of the control device 300.

In the illustrated example, as shown in (a), the user performs theoperation of “double pressed” on the function unit 101 a (button) of thepush button 100 a. In this case, the push button 100 a outputs feedbackby causing the indicator 103 to emit light in response to the performedoperation. Furthermore, the push button 100 a notifies the controldevice 300 of the performed operation. Thus, as shown in (b), in thecontrol device 300, on the console screen 3010 displayed on the display301, the indicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 a corresponding to thepush button 100 a and the indicator 103 of the push button 100 a emitlight having a color or pattern in common. Furthermore, the operationlabel 3017 a indicating the operation of “double pressed” is highlighted(specifically, e.g., blinked or its color is changed) on the consolescreen 3010, which is similar to the example described with reference toFIG. 6.

In the example described above, in the case where an operation isperformed on the electronic device 100, the electronic device 100detects the performed operation as a predetermined physical operation(in the example of FIG. 7, the function unit 101 a (button) of the pushbutton 100 a functions as an operation detection unit), and transmitsinformation indicating the operation to the control device 300. Thecontrol device 300 determines the type of feedback to be provided incommon by the indicator portion 3013 of the icon 3011 corresponding tothe electronic device 100 and the indicator 103 of the electronic device100. The control device 300 transmits the determined type of feedback tothe electronic device 100, and the electronic device 100 outputs thefeedback by the light emission of the indicator 103. The control device300 also outputs the feedback by causing the indicator portion 3013displayed on the console screen 3010 to emit light. Furthermore, thecontrol device 300 may additionally provide feedback indicating thedetected operation itself, for example, highlights the operation label3017.

This allows the user who is performing an operation on the electronicdevice 100 to identify easily what type of the icon 3011 on the consolescreen 3010 is recognized by the electronic device 100 or what type ofoperation performed on the electronic device 100 is recognized. The typeof feedback (e.g., the color or pattern of light to be emitted) may bechanged in accordance with the recognized type of operation.

Moreover, the electronic device 100 on which an operation is performedis the push button 100 a in the above example. However, in anotherexample, an operation is performed on various types of electronicdevices 100 is the acceleration sensor 100 b and the microphone 100 cillustrated in FIG. 1, and feedback for the performed operation may beprovided by the electronic device 100 itself and the control device 300.More specifically, for example, an operation including shaking,flipping, and tapping can be performed on the acceleration sensor 100 b.In this case, the functional unit 101 b (the portion having a built-insensor) of the acceleration sensor 100 b serves as the operationdetection unit. Furthermore, for example, an operation including aninput by uttered voice (contents or sound volume may be identified) andinput by handclapping can be performed on the microphone 100 c. In thiscase, the functional unit 101 c (the portion having a built-in soundcollecting structure) of the microphone 100 c serves as an operationdetection unit.

(6. Exemplary Functional Configuration of Electronic Device)

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functionalconfiguration of the electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 8 isincluded, for example, in the system 10 or 10 a according to the presentembodiment described above.

The electronic device 100 is configured to include an operationdetection unit 110, a controller 120, a storage unit 130, atransmitter-receiver 140, and a feedback unit 150. Moreover, thehardware configuration of the device that can implement the electronicdevice 100 will be described later. Furthermore, the configuration(other than the operation detection unit 110 and the feedback unit 150)for the electronic device 100 implements its function and theconfiguration for the electronic device 100 to identify its own state(e.g., communication condition and remaining battery level) are similarto the configuration of a typical electronic device, and, thus theirillustrations will be omitted.

The operation detection unit 110 detects a physical operation on theelectronic device 100. An example of the physical operation includes anoperation on an operating component included in the operation detectionunit 110 (e.g., pressing a button and touching a touch screen), anoperation on the entire electronic device 100 (e.g., shaking, flipping,and tapping), and/or an operation involving a change in physical statesnear the electronic device 100 (e.g., making a voice and darkening bycovering with hand). More specifically, for example, the operationdetection unit 110 may include a switch that is switched by anoperation. An example of such a switch is the operation button 105 ofthe electronic device 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1 orother figures. Furthermore, for example, the operation detection unit110 may include a sensor whose detection value changes with anoperation. An example of the sensor may include an acceleration sensor.An example of such a sensor is the functional unit 101 b (the portionhaving a built-in sensor) of the acceleration sensor 100 b or thefunctional unit 101 c (the portion having a built-in sound collectingstructure) of the microphone 100 c described above with reference toFIG. 1 or other figures.

The controller 120 controls the operation of the entire electronicdevice 100. For example, the controller 120 acquires operationinformation indicating the detected operation from the operationdetection unit 110, and transmits it to the control device 300 via thetransmitter-receiver 140 and the network 200. Furthermore, for example,the controller 120 causes the feedback unit 150 to provide feedback inaccordance with the feedback information received from the controldevice 300 via the network 200 and the transmitter-receiver 140.Furthermore, in some examples, the controller 120 may determine the typeof feedback provided by the feedback unit 150 for the operation detectedby the operation detection unit 110 (i.e., the feedback information maybe generated independently). The controller 120 is implemented byallowing, for example, a processor such as a central processing unit(CPU) to be executed in accordance with a program stored in the storageunit 130.

The storage unit 130 stores temporarily or permanently various pieces ofinformation or data to be processed by the controller 120. For example,the storage unit 130 stores temporarily operation information indicatingthe operation detected by the operation detection unit 110 and feedbackinformation used to cause the feedback unit 150 to provide feedback.Furthermore, for example, the storage unit 130 may store a programexecuted by a processor that implements the controller 120. In a casewhere the controller 120 generates the feedback informationindependently, the storage unit 130 may store the operation detected bythe operation detection unit 110 and/or information for associatingbetween the state of the electronic, device 100 and the type of feedbackprovided by the feedback unit 150. The storage unit 130 is implementedby, for example, various storage devices that constitute random-accessmemory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM), and/or a removable medium andits driver.

The transmitter-receiver 140 transmits and receives various kinds ofinformation or data via the network 200. For example, thetransmitter-receiver 140 transmits the operation information indicatingthe operation detected by the operation detection unit 110 to thecontrol device 300 that is an external device. As described above, thecontrol device 300 operates an electronic device 100 in cooperation withanother electronic device 100. Furthermore, for example, thetransmitter-receiver 140 receives feedback information indicating atleast the type of feedback representing the state relating to thefunction of the electronic device 100, which is transmitted by thecontrol device 300 based on the operation information. For example, inthe case where only the interlocking feedback during operation on theconsole screen is implemented among the examples of the presentembodiment described above, the transmitter-receiver 140 may onlyreceive the feedback information from the control device 300 (withoutthe function of transmission) as the function of the present embodiment.On the other hands, in the case where only the interlocking feedbackduring operation on the electronic device is implemented among theexamples of the present embodiment described above and the controller120 generates feedback information independently, the transmitterreceiver 140 may only transmit the feedback information to the controldevice 300 (without the function of reception).

The feedback unit 150 provides feedback in accordance with the feedbackinformation received by the transmitter-receiver 140 (or generated bythe controller 120). An example of the feedback provided by feedbackunit 150 includes visual feedback. In this case, the feedback unit 150includes a light emitter, and the type of feedback may include the coloror pattern of light emitted from the light emitter. An example of such alight emitter is the indicator 103 of the electronic device 100described above with reference to FIG. 1 or other figures. Although theindicator 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 is strip-shaped, the embodiment ofthe present disclosure is not limited to such an example. For example,the indicator provided in the electronic device may enclose one side ofthe electronic device, be a circle, or be one or a plurality of points.In addition, as the feedback unit 150 for providing visual feedback, adisplay may be provided.

Alternatively, an example of the feedback provided by feedback unit 150may include non-visual feedback. The non-visual feedback may be, inparticular, auditory feedback or tactile feedback. In this case, thefeedback unit 150 includes, for example, a loudspeaker or a vibrator,and the type of feedback may, include a pattern of voice and vibration.Moreover, even in a case where the feedback is nonvisual, feedbackprovided through the icon displayed on the console screen by the controldevice 300 may be visual. In this case, the feedback provided throughthe icon may be a visual representation of the non-visual feedbackprovided by the feedback unit 150. The type of feedback provided throughthe icon by the control device 300 and the type of non-visual feedbackprovided by the feedback unit 150 correspond to each other. Morespecifically, for example, effects indicating voice or vibration (e.g.,a character such as “BEEP” or a broken line) are displayed on the icondisplayed on the control device 300 in accordance with the pattern ofvoice or vibration outputted by the feedback unit 150.

(7. Exemplary Functional Configuration of Control Device)

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functionalconfiguration of the control device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The control device 300 illustrated in FIG. 9 isincluded, for example, in the system 10 or 10 a according to the presentembodiment described above.

The control device 300 is configured to include an operation unit 310, acontroller 320, a storage unit 330, a transmitter-receiver 340, and adisplay unit 350. Moreover, the hardware configuration of the devicethat can implement the control device 300 will be described later.Furthermore, as described above, the control device 300 may be, forexample, an information processing terminal. However, the configurationfor implementing a typical function as the information processingterminal is similar to that of a typical information processingterminal, so its illustration will be omitted.

The operation unit 310 acquires a user's, operation on an icon includedin the console screen displayed on the display unit 350. The operationunit 310 may include, for example, a pointing device such as a touchscreen, a mouse, and a touch pad. Such a pointing device is an exampleof the touch screen formed on the display 301 in the example describedabove with reference to FIG. 1 or other figures. Furthermore, theoperation unit 310 may include, for example, a camera for acquiring auser's gesture operation.

The controller 320 controls the operation of the entire control device300. For example, the controller 320 acquires information indicating theoperation acquired, by the operation unit 310, and regards theinformation as a user operation on the electronic device 100corresponding to the icon included in the console screen displayed onthe display unit 350. Furthermore, the controller 320 transmits aninstruction for causing the electronic device 100, which is the targetof the operation, to operate according to the user's operation via thetransmitter-receiver 340 and the network 200. Alternatively, thecontroller 320 adds, changes, and/or deletes the operation that is setfor the electronic device 100, more specifically, the cooperativeoperation with another electronic device 100 in accordance with theuser's operation, and incorporates it in the setting information of theelectronic device 100 stored in the storage unit 330. In conjunctionwith or as an alternative to the above-described processing, thecontroller 320 receives operation information indicating the detectedoperation from the electronic device 100 via the network 200 and thetransmitter-receiver 340, and may determine the type of feedbackcorresponding to the received operation information. In this case, thecontroller 320 further generates feedback information includinginformation used to specify the determined type of feedback, andtransmits it to the electronic device 100 via the transmitter-receiver340 and the network 200. The controller 320 is implemented by allowing,for example, a processor such as CPU to be, executed in accordance witha program stored in the storage unit 330.

The storage unit 330 stores temporarily or permanently various pieces ofinformation or data to be processed by the controller 320. For example,the storage unit 330 stores temporarily information indicating theoperation acquired by the operation unit 310, the operation informationreceived by the transmitter-receiver 340 from the electronic device 100,or the feedback information generated by the controller 320.Furthermore, for example, the storage unit 330 may store a programexecuted by a processor that implements the controller 320. In a casewhere the controller 320 generates the feedback information, the storageunit 330 may store the operation detected in the electronic device 100and/or information for associating between the state of the electronicdevice 100 and the type of feedback. The storage unit 330 is implementedby, for example, various storage devices that constitute RAM or ROM,and/or a removable medium and its driver.

The transmitter-receiver 340 transmits and receives various kinds ofinformation or data via the network 200. For example, thetransmitter-receiver 340 transmits the feedback information generated bythe controller 320 to the electronic device 100. In addition, thetransmitter-receiver 340 may receive operation information indicatingthe operation detected in the electronic device 100 from the electronicdevice 100. In this case, the feedback information to be transmitted tothe electronic device 100 may be generated by the controller 320 inresponse to the received operation information. For example, in the casewhere only the interlocking feedback during operation on the consolescreen is implemented among the examples of the present embodimentdescribed above, the transmitter-receiver 340 may only transmit thefeedback information to the electronic device 100 (without the functionof reception) as the function of the present embodiment. On the otherhands, in the case where only the interlocking feedback during operationon the electronic device is implemented among the examples of thepresent embodiment described above and the controller 120 of theelectronic device 100 generates feedback information, thetransmitter-receiver 340 may only receive the feedback information fromthe electronic device 100 (without the function of transmission).

The display unit 350 displays an icon representing the electronic device100 controlled by the control device 300. The icon may have a shapesimilar, to some or all of the actual electronic devices 100, forexample, like the icon 3011 described above with reference to FIG. 1 orother figures. Furthermore, the icon may have a portion corresponding tothe feedback unit 150 of the electronic device 100 (e.g., the indicatorportion 3013 in the example of FIG. 1). Furthermore, information on afunctions or operation of the electronic device 100 may be displayed inconjunction with the icon. Such information on a functions err operationof the electronic device 100 is an example of the operation label 3017,the operation label addition menu 3019, or the operation label settingmenu 3021 described above with reference to FIG. 6 or other figures. Thedisplay unit 350 is implemented by various display devices, for example,like the display 301 in the example of FIG. 1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the display unit 350displays an icon on the console screen, and an operation on the icon isaccepted via the operation unit 310. In addition, the display unit 350provides feedback for an operation on the displayed icon or an operationon the electronic device 103 corresponding to the icon. In this case,the display unit 350 outputs feedback, for example, in accordance withthe feedback information generated by the controller 320. Morespecifically, for example, in the case where visual feedback is providedby light emission of a light emitter (e.g., the indicator 103) in theelectronic device 100, the display unit 350 may change its display sothat all or part of the icons (e.g., the indicator portion 3013) appearsas if it emits light. Furthermore, for example, in a case wherenon-visual (e.g., auditory or tactile) feedback is provided in theelectronic device 100, the display unit 350 displays a change of thevisual representation of the feedback.

(8. Hardware Configuration)

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a hardware configuration of an apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described. FIG.10 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example ofan apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Anillustrated apparatus 900 may be implemented as, for example, theelectronic device 100 and/or the control device 300 according to theembodiments of the present disclosure.

The apparatus 900 is configured to include a central processing unit(CPU) 901, read-only memory (ROM) 903, and random-access memory (RAM)905. In addition, the apparatus 900 may be configured to include a hostbus 907, a bridge 909, an external bus 911, an interface 913) an inputdevice 915, an output device 917, a storage device 919, a drive 921, aconnection port 923, and a communication device 925. Furthermore, theapparatus 900 may be configured to include an imaging device 933 and asensor 935, as necessary. The apparatus 900 may include a processingcircuit such as a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmablegate array (FPGA), in conjunction with or in place of the CPU 901.

The CPU 901 serves as an arithmetic processing apparatus and a controlapparatus, and controls the overall operation or a part of the operationof the apparatus 900 according to various programs recorded in the ROM903, the RAM 905, the storage apparatus 919, or a removable recordingmedium 927. The ROM 903 stores programs, operation parameters, and thelike used by the CPU 901. The RAM 905 temporarily stores programs usedin executing the CPU 901 and various parameters that change asappropriate in executing such programs. The CPU 901, the ROM 903, andthe RAM 905 are connected with each other via the host bus 907configured from an internal bus such as a CPU bus or the like. The hostbus 907 is connected to the external bus 911 such as a PeripheralComponent Interconnect/Interface (PCI) bus via the bridge 909.

The input device 915 is a device operated by a user, such as a mouse, akeyboard, a touch screen, a button, a switch, and a lever. The inputdevice 915 may be a remote control device that uses, for example, aninfrared ray or other radio waves. Alternatively, the input device 915may be an external connection device 929, such as a mobile phone, whichcorresponds to an operation of the apparatus 900. The input device 915includes an input control circuit that generates input signals based oninformation inputted by a user and outputs it to the CPU 901. The userinputs various types of data to the apparatus 900 and instructs theapparatus 900 to perform a processing operation by operating the inputdevice 915.

The output device 917 includes a device that can report acquiredinformation to a user using visual, auditory, or tactile sense. Theoutput device 917 may be, for example, a display device such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display,an audio output device such as a loudspeaker and a headphone, or avibrator. The output device 917 outputs a result, obtained through aprocess performed by the apparatus 900, in the form of video such astext and an image, audio such as voice and sound, or vibration.

The storage device 919 is a device for data storage configured as anexample of a storage unit of the apparatus 900. An example of thestorage device 919 includes a magnetic storage device such as a harddisk drive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device, an optical storagedevice, or a magneto-optical storage device. The storage device 919stores therein the programs and various data executed by the CPU 901,various data acquired from an outside, and the like.

The drive 921 is a reader/writer for the removable recording medium 927such as a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disk, and asemiconductor memory, and built in or externally attached to theapparatus 900. The drive 921 reads out information recorded on themounted removable recording medium 927, and outputs the information tothe RAM 905. Furthermore, the drive 921 writes the record into themounted removable recording medium 927.

The connection port 923 is a port used to connect the devices to theapparatus 900. The connection port 923 may be a Universal Serial Bus(USB) port, an IEEE 1394 port, and a Small Computer System Interface(SCSI) port. Furthermore, the connection port 923 may be an RS-232Cport, an optical audio terminal, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface(HDMI) (registered trademark) port, and so on. The connection of theexternal connection device 929 to the connection port 923 makes itpossible to exchange various data between the apparatus 900 and theexternal connection device 929.

The communication, device 925 is a communication interface including,for example, a communication device for connection to a communicationnetwork 931. The communication device 925 may be, for example, acommunication card for a local area network (LAN), Bluetooth (registeredtrademark), Wi-Fi, or a wireless USB (WUSB). The communication device925 may, also be, for example, a router for optical communication, arouter for asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), or a modem forvarious types of communication For example, the communication device 925transmits and receives signals in the Internet or to and from anothercommunication device by using a predetermined protocol such as TCP/IP.The communication network 931 connected to the communication device 925is a network established through wired or wireless connection. Thecommunication network 931 may include, for example, the Internet, a homeLAN, infrared communication, radio wave communication, or satellitecommunication.

The imaging device 933 is a device that captures an image of a realspace by using an image sensor such as a complementary metal oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) and charge-coupled device (CCD) and various memberssuch as a lens for controlling formation of an image of a subject ontothe image sensor, and generates the captured image. The imaging device933 may capture still images or moving images.

The sensor 935 is various sensors such as an acceleration sensor, anangular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an illuminance sensor, atemperature sensor, a barometric sensor, and a sound sensor(microphone). The sensor 935 acquires information regarding a state ofthe apparatus 900 such as a posture of a housing of the apparatus 900,and information regarding an environment surrounding the apparatus 900such as luminous intensity and noise around the apparatus 900.Furthermore, the sensor 935 may include a global positioning system(GPS) receiver that receives GPS signals to measure latitude, longitude,and altitude of the apparatus.

The exemplary hardware configuration of the apparatus 900 has beendescribed. Each of the structural elements described above may beconfigured by using a general purpose component or may be configured byhardware specialized for the function of each of the structuralelements. Such a configuration may be changed appropriately inaccordance with the technical level at the time of implementation.

(9. Supplement)

The embodiments of the present disclosure may include, for example, theinformation processing device (the electronic device or the controldevice) as described above, a system, a method of information processingexecuted by the information processing device or the system, a programfor causing the information processing apparatus to execute itsfunction, and a non-transitory, tangible medium having the programstored therein.

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merelyillustrative or exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is, inconjunction with or in the place of the above effects, the technologyaccording to the present disclosure may achieve other effects that areclear to those skilled in the art based on the description of thisspecification.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

An electronic device that implements a predetermined function, theelectronic device including:

an operation detection unit configured to detect a physical operation onthe electronic device;

a transmitter configured to transmit operation information indicatingthe operation to an external device;

a receiver configured to receive feedback information indicating atleast a type of feedback representing a state relating to the function,the feedback information being transmitted by the external device inresponse to the operation information; and

a feedback unit configured to provide the feedback in accordance withthe feedback information.

(2)

The electronic device according to (1),

wherein the state includes a recognition state of the electronic devicein the external device.

(3)

The electronic device according to (2),

wherein the external device includes a control device configured tocause the electronic device and another device to operate in cooperationwith each other, and

the electronic device and the other device are both recognized by thecontrol device.

(4)

The electronic device according to (3),

wherein the state includes a state of cooperation between the electronicdevice and the other device.

(5)

The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (4),

wherein the operation detection unit includes a switch configured to beswitched by the operation.

(6)

The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (5),

wherein the operation detection unit includes a sensor whose detectionvalue is changed by the operation.

(7)

The electronic device according to (6),

wherein the operation detection unit includes an acceleration sensor.

(8)

The electronic device according to (7),

wherein the operation includes an operation of shaking, flipping, ortapping the electronic device.

(9)

The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (8),

wherein the state includes a recognition state of the operation in theexternal device.

(10)

The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (9),

wherein the state includes a communication state of the electronicdevice.

(11)

The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (10),

wherein the state includes a remaining battery level of the electronicdevice.

(12)

The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (11),

wherein the feedback includes visual feedback.

(13)

The electronic device according to (12),

wherein the visual feedback has a type corresponding to a type of visualfeedback provided in the external device.

(14)

The electronic device according to (12) or (13),

wherein the feedback unit includes a light emitter, and

the type of the feedback includes a light emission color or a lightemission pattern of the light emitter.

(15)

The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (14),

wherein the feedback includes non-visual feedback.

(16)

The electronic device according to (15),

wherein the non-visual feedback has a type corresponding to a type offeedback obtained as a visual representation of the non-visual feedbackprovided in the external device.

(17)

A feedback providing method including, by an electronic device thatimplements a predetermined function:

detecting a physical operation on the electronic device;

transmitting operation information indicating the operation to anexternal device;

receiving feedback information indicating at least a type of feedbackrepresenting a state regarding the function, the feedback informationbeing transmitted by the external device in response to the operationinformation; and

providing the feedback in accordance with the feedback information.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 system-   100 electronic device-   101 functional unit-   103 indicator-   105 operation button-   110 operation detection unit-   120 controller-   130 storage unit-   140 transmitter-receiver-   150 feedback unit-   200 network-   300 control device-   301 display-   310 operation unit-   320 controller-   330 storage unit-   340 transmitter-receiver-   350 display unit

1. An electronic device that implements a predetermined function, theelectronic device comprising: an operation detection unit configured todetect a physical operation on the electronic device; a transmitterconfigured to transmit operation information indicating the operation toan external device; a receiver configured to receive feedbackinformation indicating at least a type of feedback representing a staterelating to the function, the feedback information being transmitted bythe external device in response to the operation information; and afeedback unit configured to provide the feedback in accordance with thefeedback information.
 2. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the state includes a recognition state of the electronic devicein the external device.
 3. The electronic device according to claim 2,wherein the external device includes a control device configured tocause the electronic device and another device to operate in cooperationwith each other, and the electronic device and the other device are bothrecognized by the control device.
 4. The electronic device according toclaim 3, wherein the state includes a state of cooperation between theelectronic device and the other device.
 5. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the operation detection unit includes aswitch configured to be switched by the operation.
 6. The electronicdevice according to claim 1, wherein the operation detection unitincludes a sensor whose detection value is changed by the operation. 7.The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the operationdetection unit includes an acceleration sensor.
 8. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the operation includes an operation ofshaking, flipping, or tapping the electronic device.
 9. The electronicdevice according to claim 1, wherein the state includes a recognitionstate of the operation in the external device.
 10. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the state includes a communication stateof the electronic device.
 11. The electronic device according to claim1, wherein the state includes a remaining battery level of theelectronic device.
 12. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the feedback includes visual feedback.
 13. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the visual feedback has a typecorresponding to a type of visual feedback provided in the externaldevice.
 14. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein thefeedback unit includes a light emitter, and the type of the feedbackincludes a light emission color or a light emission pattern of the lightemitter.
 15. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein thefeedback includes non-visual feedback.
 16. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the non-visual feedback has a typecorresponding to a type of feedback obtained as a visual representationof the non-visual feedback provided in the external device.
 17. Afeedback providing method comprising, by an electronic device thatimplements a predetermined function: detecting a physical operation onthe electronic device; transmitting operation information indicating theoperation to an external device; receiving feedback informationindicating at least a type of feedback representing a state regardingthe function the feedback information being transmitted by the externaldevice in response to the operation information; and providing thefeedback in accordance with the feedback information.